At Sahagun in 1808 the 10th and 15th Light Dragoons (Hussars)
defeated French 1st Provisional Chasseurs and 8th Dragoons.
The 15th Hussars were awarded "Sahagun" as a Battle Honour.
At Benavente the British and German cavalry routed Guard Horse Chasseurs.
“We attacked them again, they again fired, by which they killed 2 and
wounded 1 horse. They stood firm, we broke them, killed several,
wounded 20 and took prisoners, 1 officer, 100 men and 50 horses.”
( - Lord Paget in Summerville’s “March of Death” p 54)

.

" I considered our cavalry so inferior to the French
from the want of order , that although I considered
one squadron a match for two French,
I didn't like to see 4 British opposed to 4 French :
and as the numbers increased and order, of course,
became more necessary I was the more unwilling to
risk our men without having a superiority in numbers." - Wellington

Charge of British heavy cavalry at Waterloo on 18 June 1815.
They decimated the French infantry, became disordered, and
then were counterattcked by French cavalry and sent flying.
"Our cavalry officers have acquired the trick of galloping at
everything and then galloping back as fast as they gallop at
the enemy." - Wellington

Introduction: British Cavalry."... testimony of impartial writers of different nations have given
the first place amongst the European infantry to the British;
but in a comparison between the troops of France and England,
it would be unjust not to admit that the cavalry of the former
stands higher in the estimation of the world."
(William Napier - Vol II, p 367)

.

Cavalry had the advantage of mobility, an instrument which multiplied the fighting value of even the smallest forces, allowing them to outflank and avoid, to surprise and overpower, to retreat and escape according to the requirements of the moment. Cavalry remained the primary choice for confronting enemy cavalry. Attacking an unbroken infantry force head-on usually resulted in failure, but the extended linear formations were vulnerable to flank or rear attacks. Cavalry was an indispensable tool for scouting, screening the army's movements, and harassing the enemy's supply lines

Picture: British light dragoon in 1800.
Picture by G.D. Rowlandson.

British cavalry consisted of light and heavy dragoons.
Between 1806 and 1862 several light dragoon regiments converted to "hussars",
a Hungarian cavalry popularized by the French and Prussians.
Between 1816 and 1822 several regiments of light dragoons were converted to "lancers", a Polish
innovation that had been previously copied by the French, Russians, Prussians, Austrians and almost everybody else.

The uniforms of British cavalry made great impression on many onlookers and their horses were
one of the best in Europe. Their sabers and firearms were well made, and the men were brave and good sworsdmen.
The weakest point of British cavalry however, were their tactics and discipline in real combat.
"The heaviest English cavalry is far from possessing the uniformity and the firm seat of the French and Austrian
cuirassiers; and their light-horse is still more inferior in intelligence and activity to the Hungarian hussar
and the Cossack. They have no idea of the artifices of partisan warfare, and they know little how to charge en masse. When the fray commences,
you see them equally vulnerable and offensive, cutting instead of thrusting, and chopping with more fury than effect at the faces of their enemies..." ( - General Foy)
Despite the criticism the British cavalry enjoyed several victories against French cavalry,
especially on the smaller tactical level (Sahagun, Benavente). If not the best in small warfare
they were successful against enemy's infantry, especially at Garcia Hernandez, Salamanca, and Waterloo.

John Gaspard Le Marchant (1766 – 1812).
A"He was impressed by the Austrian cavalry who were operating alongside the British,
and was particularly struck by the disparaging remark of an Austrian officer who
thought that the British swordsmanship was "entertaining" but reminded him of a
"farmer chopping wood."
"On his return to Britain Le Marchant exerted himself to improve
the equipment and combat training of the British cavalry."

.

Le Marchant served as a senior officer during the disastrous Low Countries campaign of 1793-95.
He was impressed by the Austrian cavalry who were operating alongside the British.
He wrote that the Austrian cavalrymen
"were as superior to us as we were to the trained-bands in the city."

On his return to Britain Le Marchant introduced several important changes.
"In 1795-6 he designed, in collaboration with the Birmingham sword cutler Henry Osborn, a new cavalry sabre,
which was adopted for the light cavalry. In 1796 his treatise of instruction in mounted swordsmanship was adopted by
the army as part of its official regulations (The Rules and Regulations of the Sword Exercise of the Cavalry).
...
With the exception of the specialist instruction school for artillery officers at Woolwich no institution for the
education of military officers existed in Britain. In 1801, after overcoming considerable opposition on the grounds of cost,
Le Marchant's scheme for establishing at High Wycombe and Great Marlow schools for the military instruction of
officers was sanctioned by Parliament ....
Having been promoted to major-general Le Marchant was given the command of a brigade of heavy cavalry in 1811,
and distinguished himself in several actions. In the cavalry clash at Villagarcia, 11 April 1812, Le Marchant led the
5th Dragoon Guards in a perfectly timed flank charge, in echelon of squadrons, which defeated two strong columns of
French cavalry under General Charles Lallemand. The French had been attacking British light cavalry under
Sir Stapleton Cotton, who were being forced to give ground.
He gained his greatest success as a cavalry commander at the Battle of Salamanca on 22 July 1812, where he was killed.
... Le Marchant was liked and admired by many in his profession, soldier and officer alike. ...
He wrote several treatises on cavalry tactics and other military subjects, but few of them were published."
(- wikipedia.org 2010

British cavalry used several weapons: broadsword, curved saber, carbine, rifle, and pistol.
The weapons were of good quality and well made. Large quantities of sabers were also sent to Britain's ally, Prussia.

.

Carbines and pistols.

The British cavalry was armed with carbines and pistols.
The carbines were short barrelled and thus short range weapons,
carried by privates and corporals.
In Peninsula, Stapleton Cotton, ordered the Household Cavalry not to carry carbines.
In 1815 however the Household Brigade and the Union Brigade were issued carbines with bayonets
(the bayonets were not carried).
The heavy cavalry carbine weighed 8 pounds and had a barrel length of 28 inches.
The light cavalry carbine had a barrel length of 16 inches.
The ramrod was permanently mounted beneath the muzzle to prevent it from being lost.
In 1815 the 10th Hussars were issued Baker rifles.

The cavalryman carried one pistol. It was used even less than the carbine.
The heavy cavalry pistol had a barrel length of 9 inches.

.

Light cavalry saber.

According to M. Read the British saber 1796-Model for light cavalry was designed by Le
Marchant. He was a strong advocate of the cut in cavalry combat. This saber had a broad
blade with a pronounced curve, with a single broad but shallow fuller. Despite the
sword's obvious unsuitability for use in the thrust some attempts were made to increase
its efficiency in this regard. The back of the blade, for the distance between the
termination of the fuller and the tip, was sometimes ground down to increase the acuteness
of the point. (Martin Read - "The British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Sword")

.

Heavy cavalry saber.

The broadsword used by the British (and Austrian) heavy cavalry and was a straight, single edged weapon.
It was somehow old-fashioned weapon and was withdrawn from the Russian cavalry in 1809-10,
and from the Austrian light cavalry (chevaulegeres) in 1802. The British and Austrian heavies
however kept this weapon.

The sabers of British heavy cavalry were described as "lumbering, clumsy,
ill-contrived machine. It is too heavy, too short, and too broad."
Waymouth of 2nd Life Guards also complained at the way of wielding the saber,
with the elbow bent and the point upraised. It was a "very bad position whilst
charging, the French carrying theirs in a manner much less fatiguing, and also
much better for attack of defence."
According to Martin Read the British 1796
pattern heavy cavalry saber was a direct copy of the sword of the Austrian heavy
cavalry dating to 1775. Due to the saber's width this type of point was a very poor at piercing heavy
clothing or rolled cloaks, making a thrust a largely unprofitable exercise.
Before Waterloo the men were ordered to 'grind the backs of their swords' to make
the tip into the more effective point.

However, the broadsword was able to cut deeper than the more narrow straight saber used by the French heavy cavalry
and was more effective when it came to parry the blows.
Cavalryman armed with the broadsword attacked enemy's head, neck and arm and not his torso.
For this reason these areas required extra protection.
1 - sabre's metal garde protected the hand
2 - longer gloves worn by the heavy cavalry were made
of hardened leather and protected part of the forearm.
(French cuirassiers' gloves consisted of 2 parts: soft and hard.
The hand part was soft for flexibility, while the forearm part
was made of hard leather)
3 - helmet protected the head
(Before the helmets were introduced for the Austrian cuirassiers
they wore protective iron crosses inside their tricorn hats.)

.

Cut, slash and thrust.

The light cavalry used their curved sabers mostly for slashing, while the heavy cavalry used
their broadswords mostly for cuting. Thrust was prefered when the adversary was awkward or slow in delivering his attack,
otherwise the cut was more instinctive blow and the men tended to cut even if their sabers were more suited to the thrust.
The cut however often failed from the blade turning enough to make the blow one with the flat.
Slash was very common in small war where would be a lot of one-on-one fights and circling as the horses had much space.
The slash was most effective and easiest against opponent to your right side and therefore the men took their time
continually circling until they saw an opportunity.
Slash required less physical force than cut.

The cuts were delivered either diagonally or horizontaly and were aimed at the ear, face, head and forehand of
adversary. The cuts and slashes made often horrible wounds but they were not as deadly as the thrusts.
Although historical accounts tell about cavalrymen taking numerous minor punctures and surviving,
generally the thrust was more deadly than cut and slash.

Only rarely enemy's head was taken off with a clean cut or slash but it made a life lasting impression. Authors would
devote entire page to describe such single slash or cut. "I saw him (Wilson) engaged hand to hand with a French dragoon:
I saw him - for I was by this time disabled by a severe wound, and stretched at length beside others of my suffering
comrades - give and receive more than one pass, with equal skill and courage.
Just then, a French officer stooping over the body of one of his wounded countrymen, who dropped at the instant
on his horse's neck, delivered a thrust at poor Harry Wilson's body, and delivered it effectually. I firmly believe that
Wilson died on the instant: yet, though he felt the sword in its progress, he, with characteristic self-command,
kept his eye still on the enemy in his front; and, raising himself in his stirrups, let fall upon the Frenchman's helmet
such a blow, that brass and skull parted before it, and the man's head was cloven asunder to the chin.
It was the most tremendous blow I ever saw struck, and both he who gave, and his opponent who received it,
dropped dead together. The brass helmet was afterwards examined by order of the French officer, who, as well as myself,
was astonished at the exploit ... " (George Robert Gleig - "The Light Dragoon")
During the cavalry battle at Villodrigo in Spain in 1812 the brave Colonel Béteille of the Gendarmes was wounded.
He was left for dead on the field after receiving 12 sword wounds (8 to the head, one of which cracked his skull
open and 4 to his left hand). French surgeons managed to save him. Several months later he was made general
and was awarded the Legion d'Honneur.

The thrust made a narrow wound but it was deep and damaging not only the surface and bones but also to the most vital
organs (causing internal bleeding, infections etc.)
A captain of British heavy dragoons wrote about the French using the thrust "It is worthy of remark that scarcely one
Frenchman died of his wounds, although dreadfully chopped, whereas 12 English Dragoons were killed on the spot and others
dangerously wounded by thrusts." (In 1807 at Heilsberg Colonel Chipault of the 4th Cuirassiers had received 56 [!] sabre
cuts and recovered perfectly.)

~

Horses.
Great Britain had always good cavalry horses
and the financial means to obtain more of them.

.

Picture: officer of Light dragoons in 1802 mounted on a beautiful horse.
British horses' tails were docked. The men of the Life Guards rode horses with manes brushed to the left
to distinguish them from the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues') who brushed them to the right.

If Poland and Hungary had the best horses for the light cavalry,
England and Germany had the best horses for the medium and heavy cavalry.
The horses from northern France, Boulonnais and Percherons, were excellent for the cuirassiers.

Great Britain had always good cavalry horses and the financial means to obtain more of them wherever they might be found.
During the Waterloo Campaign in 1815 the French heavy cavalry was impoverished and had considerably scaled
back the strength of cavalry regiments. It was not the case with the British and German cavalry.

In the beginning of Peninsular campaign the lack of experience cost the British
cavalry many horses. “The tragic end of Lord Paget’s heroic cavalry chargers
is made even more shameful when one considers the verdict of William Napier: '‘The very
fact of their being so foundered was one of the results of inexperience; the cavalry had come
out to Corunna without proper equipments, the horses were ruined, not for want of shoes, but
want of hammers and nails to put them on !” (Summerville - “March of Death” p 177)
Hundreds of excellent horses were slaughtered before the embarkation in Corunna in 1809.
By January 14th over 100 transports and 12 warships sailed into the bay from Vigo, and at last the embarkation could begin.
Hastily, before the wind should change, the remainder of the sick, all the guns except 9, and all the cavalry regiments, which would be of little use on the rocky broken slopes outside the town, were sent aboard.
Less than 1,000 horses went with them. The rest had to be killed !
The slaughter of the horses was performed with appalling clumsiness. The animals were brought to the edge of the cliffs overhanging the beach and were shot and then pushed over on the sands below where soldiers with hammers ‘despatched those who had landed there alive because of a badly aimed shot. So uncertainly, in fact, were the pistols aimed that the men were advised to cut the horses’ throats with swords instead of trying to shoot them. Many terrified horses neighed and screamed as the sight of their fellows struggling on the blood-splashed beach.
General Moore could not hope that the infantry would be able to follow the cavalry with as little
interference from the French. Reports had reached him that Marshal Soult’s engineers had come up to
repair the bridge at Burgo a few hours after Paget
had been withdrawn, and the infantry divisions of Merle and Merment were now streaming across
it towards the Heights of Palavea.
Moore ordered preparations for departure and the destruction of 4,000 barrels of gunpowder.
The tremendous blast had broken virtually every window in Corunna.

Although French General Foy admired British troops, especially the infantry and artillery, he was not impressed with the cavalry.
Foy writes, "The pains bestowed by the English on their
horses, and the superior qualities of their native breeds, at first gave a more favourable
idea of their cavalry than the experience of war has justified. The horses are badly trained
for fighting. They have narrow shoulders and a hard mouth and neither know how to turn or
to halt. Cropping their tails is a serious inconvenience in hot climates. The luxurious
attentions which are lavished upon them, render them quite unfit to support fatigue,
scarcity of food, or the exposure of the bivouac. The men, however, are excellent grooms."
The cavalrymen of the King's German Legion exceled in horse care. Costello writes, "Indeed, while alluding to the cavalry
of the German Legion, I cannot help remarking on the care and fondness with which they regarded their horses.
A German soldier seldom thought of food or rest for the night until his horse had been provided for."
(Costello - "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" pp 24-25)
"Affection for, and care of, his horse, is the trait, par excellence,
which distinguishes the German dragoon from the English."
The German would sell everything to feed his horse;
the English would sell his horse itself for spirit ...
In the Peninsula the only means of enforcing some attention to
their horses amongst our English regiments was to make
man walk and carry his saddlebags whose horse died or was ill."
(- Captain Mercer, British artillery)

Most common colors of horses were bays and chestnuts.
The men of the Life Guards were mounted on large, black horses.
The 2nd Dragoons rode on greys. Prior to 1693, there is no record that the regiment
used grey horses exclusive to others. However, when inspected in 1693 by the king,
people took note that the regiment was mounted on all grey horses. Some have offered
the theory that the greys originated with the Dutch Horse Guards.

In general the British cvalary rode on large horses. Even their hussars were mounted on
bigger horses than any other hussar in Europe. One thing is good about it, they were well
suited for battle and looked great during parades and reviews. The bad thing is, larger horse is
more sensitive to weather, and to the quantity and quality of food. Hussar's horse should be rather
small, agile and with great stamina.

Height of horses.

army

cuirassiers

dragoons

uhlanslancers

jagerschasseurs

hussars

Russia

151-160 cm 14.35-14.85 hh

142-151 cm 14.1-14.35 hh

142-151 cm 14.1-14.35 hh

-

142-151 cm 13.85-14.35 hh

Austria

-

-

-

14.3-14.4 hh

14.2-14.3 hh

Britain

-

15.25 hh*

-

-

15 hh *

France 1812

155-160 cm15.3-15.7 hh

153-155 cm15-15.3 hh

143-146 cm14.3-14.7 hh

149-153 cm14.6-15 hh

149-153 cm14.6-15 hh

* - the 2nd Dragoon Regiment (“Scots Greys”) had 48% of cavalrymen mounted on
15 hands tall horses, 36% on 15.5 hh horses, 2 % on 16 hh, and the rest on 14.5 hh horses.
It gives an average of 15.22 hands tall horse. Similar count based on 299 horses in the British 10th Hussar Regiment
in 1813 gives an average of approx. 15 hands tall horse.NOTE:
The height given in cm is not always consistent with the height given
in hands as they are usually given by two or three different sources.

~

Uniforms of the British cavalry." ... the French soldiers were so struck with
the elegant dresses of the light dragoons .."- General Foy

.

During campaign in winter the British heavy and light cavalry wore cloaks as seen on the picture
"British Heavy and Light Cavalry Cloaked", from Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812, engraved by J.C. Stadler, published by Colnaghi and Co. 1812-1815.

The early uniform of British light dragoons made great impression on many onlookers.
French General Foy wrote: "During the war in the Peninsula, the French soldiers were
so struck with the elegant dresses of the light dragoons, their shining helmets, and
the graceful shape of men and horses, that they gave them the name of Lindors
(figures from Greek mythology, half-man, half-horse).
In 1813, this dress, which was peculiar to the British troops, was exchanged for the head-dress and jacket of the
German light cavalry. " (- General Foy)

The Tarleton helmet came with white-over-red plume and turban of facing colour, changed to black for all regiments.
By the way, the "musicians of the 4th Baden Infantry [in French service] replaced their leather helmets after Talavera with the more stylish ones [Tarleton] of the British 23rd Light Dragoons, which had lost half their men in a foolish charge."
( John Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 443)

In 1812 the Tarleton was replaced with shako with white-over-red short plume. The light dragoons wore short tailed dark blue jacket with plastron front and epaulettes, white breeches (or grey trousers with one or two stripes in
facing colour) and short boots. Other sources give grey trousers with either 2 red stripes or
2 facing colour stripes.

The jacket worn by light dragoons was dark blue with either silver or gold braid on the front
(white or yellow for other ranks). Cuffs were pointed and edged with lace.
They wore either the tight white breeches or grey overalls.

Left: trooper of 7th Hussars in 1808.Right: officer of 10th Hussars in 1815.

The hussars wore very tall fur caps with white-over-red plume, red bag of cap, yellow cap-lines,
blue tailess dolmans with white braid, white breeches (or grey overalls with one or two
stripes in facing colour) and short boots. They were as pretty and handsome looking as
any hussars from continental Europe.
The British hussars were required to sport moustaches.
In March 1813 the 10th and 15th Hussars were issued scarlet shako
with white top band. In September 1813 the 7th Hussars received blue shako with red top band.
(The Austrian, or rather Hungarian hussars
also wore colorful shakos. However, the French, Prussian and Russian hussars wore black shakos.)

Picture: British dragoons in 1812-15.
(Private, officer and trumpeter)

The British dragoons wore crested helmets with black horsehair,
scarlet coats, and either white breeches with high boots or grey overalls.
Only the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons ("Scots Greys") wore bearskins instead of helmets.
Prior to receiving the bearskins, they were also unique among cavalry regiments for wearing the mitre cap instead of the cocked hat or tricorn worn by the rest of the cavalry. The mitre cap dates back to the reign of Queen Anne, who awarded them this distinction after the Battle of Ramillies in 1706. The bearskin was added in 1768.

The official establishment for cavalry regiment was five squadrons.
Four squadrons were in the field, while one squadron served as depot
and was left at home.

The regiment of British cavalry carried 1 standard per squadron.
Sometimes "King´s standard" for the 1st squadron and "regimental guidons" for the 2nd and 3rd.
The standard was carried by a NCO.

Two or three regiments formed brigade.
There were no higher units (divisions, corps).

~

Household Cavalry, the flower of British cavalry."It was true that they had not yet covered themselves in glory at
this point, but they had garnered valuable horsemanship and
organisational skills that were to be put to good effect in the
very near future." - Charles Griffin on their campaign in Peninsula

.

Picture: Household Cavalry in June 1815.
Life Guards (left), Royal Horse Guards (right).
Picture by Knotel.

The Household Cavalry was the elite of British cavalry and consisted of 1st and 2nd Lif Guards
(the senior regiments of the British army) and the Royal Horse Guards. In theory the three guard troops
formed personal bodyguard of the head of state.

The Royal Horse Guard was founded in 1650 by Oliver
Cromwell as the Regiment of Cuirassiers. The first troop was originally raised in 1658 as
His Majesty's Own Troop of Horse Guards. Membership of these was originally restricted to
gentlemen, and accordingly they had no NCOs; their corporals were commissioned.
"The disaster in North America had demonstrated that the army was falling badly behind the
times. The Private Gentleman's club of the Horse Guards were converted into the two regular
cavalry troops of Life Guards. Both Regiments received an establishment of 230 men between
the strict height regimens of 5' 11" and 6'1". ...
It was not until 1812 that a Household Brigade was raised and despatched to Lisbon.
This was something of a historic event in itself what with being the first time that the two
Life Guard regiments had ridden together with the far more battle-experienced Blues.
However six months of virtually ceremonial duties in Lisbon helped acclimatise and prepare
the Life Guards for their first campaign in 1813 ...." (- Charles Griffin)

Costello described his first meeting with the Household cavalry in Peninsula: "On the third day's march our battalion
encamped near Salamanca, in a wood, where we were joined by the Life Guards and Oxford Blues [Royal Horse Guards],
that had just come out from England, and whom we beheld drawn up at the side of the road.
Their fresh and well-fed appearancce gave rise to many jests at the expense of the
'householders'. They, in fact, as I learnt, took us [95th Rifles] at first, from our dark
clothing and embrowned visages, for a foreign regiment."
(Costello - "The Peninsular and Watreloo Campaigns" pp 119-120)
The Household cavalry however saw very little fighting in Peninsula.
"Still, the Household Brigade was acquiring valuable experience and not an inconsiderable amount of
booty, both at Vittoria and later with the fall of San Sebastian. ...
On June 21st 1814, the Life Guards began being shipped back to Britain.
It was true that they had not yet covered themselves in glory at this point,
but they had garnered valuable horsemanship and organisational skills that were to be put
to good effect in the very near future." (- Charles Griffin)

The regiments of Household Brigade covered themselves with glory at Waterloo.
Lord Uxbridge having come from inspecting the cavalry deployed behind Hougoumont, he arrived on the high ground above La Haye Sainte. He saw the French cuirassiers sabering Ross' gunners and ordered Somerset's Household Brigade to prepare to charge. He then rode to where Ponsonby's Union Brigade stood and ordered Ponsonby to prepare his heavy dragoons to charge.
The cavalry had to descend the slope, ascend the opposite slope, and then get past the sunken road. They had to move through the Allied infantry and pass through the thorny bushes on the side of the road. Lord Uxbridge in his hussar uniform, rode ahead of Somerset's Household Brigade.
Two regiments of French cuirassiers were still scattered, not having had time to reorder their ranks after destroying the Luneberg Battalion and chasing Ross' gunners. In this situation the cuirassiers had no hope of resisting the sudden attack of the Household Brigade. The French - after short fight - were thrown back.
As the British were pursuing the cuirassiers, they came upon the flank of Aulard's infantry brigade (Donzelot's division). The infantry was so surprised by the sudden appearance of cavalry that they broke and fled without much resistance. Some infantrymen however started firing at the backs of the cavalry, and here and there a guardsman was dragged from his horse and hauled away as a prisoner (incl. officer Waymouth, officer Irby, and others.)
Many guardsmen continued charging down the slope with Lord Uxbridge at their head. French skirmishers stationed near
La Haye Sainte opened fire on them. Commanding officer of the 1st Life Guards fell dead, and the colonel of the King's
Dragoon Guards - crying out to his men "On to Paris !" - was also killed.
Battalions of Schmit's infantry brigade (Donzelot's division) formed squares near La Haye Sainte and repulsed the guardsmen with musket volleys. The charge of the Union Brigade was also very successful.
Napoleon watched the brilliant charge of British heavy cavalry and the rout of d'Erlon's infantry. He ordered a cuirassier
division to counterattack. Général Jaquinot also sent one of his brigades against the triumphant allied cavalry.
The brigade under General Baron Gobrecht (3rd and 4th Lancer Regiments) struck the enemy with fury.
The Household and Union Brigades suffered heavy casualties.
Captain Hamilton's body was found the next day, missing both arms and with a bullet in the heart.
Lord Somerset escaped the pursuit.
After the battle only 1 or 2 men reported out of an entire squadron of the 1st Dragoon Guards. The two splendid brigades (Hosehold and Union), by this time combined, could muster only few composite squadrons.

Cavalry of King's German Legion."As cavalry, they were the finest and most efficient I ever saw in action;
and I had many opportunities of judging ..." (Costello - "The Peninsular
and Waterloo Campaigns" pp 24-25)

.

"The origins of the Kings German Legion stem back to the invasion and occupation of the Electorate of Hanover
by France in July 1803. The ruler of Hanover was none other than King George III of England. Although forbidden by
Napoleon to take up arms against France, men from the Hanovarian army soon began to come to England, to serve their Ruler,
and free their land from French rule. ... By 1805 the Legion had both light and heavy cavalry regiments, foot and horse artillery batteries, their own corps
of engineers, plus two light and eight line infantry regiments. ... British supplied uniforms, weapons and equipment ..."
( - kingsgermanlegion.org.uk)

The cavalry of KGL followed the pattern of treating their mounts first, grooming, trimming, saddle and hoof cleaning,
and so forth, so it kept their horses in great condition when many of the British cavalrymen were walking because their
neglected horses had broken down or were sold for alcohol. During the campaigns in Spain and Portugal the losses in the
KGL cavalry were approx. only half of the English.

The KGL light cavalry was composed of brave men and excellent swordsmen.
"On the 18th of June we passed along the banks of a fine river. Our company,
along with but half a troop of German Hussars, formed the advance. On turning
a winding of the road, we suddenly
came within sight of a party of the enemy's cavalry who formed the tail of their rearguard.
Our Germans, who were commanded by a very smart young fellow, immediately charged them.
The French, perceiving the number of our cavalry only equal to their own, instantly wheeled
about and calmly awaited the attack. A very smart combat soon took place, and was supported
by great resolution for some time on both sides, but terminated in the flight or capture of
the enemy. Several prisoners were brought in, all of whom were badly wounded; and scarcely
one of our gallant Germans had escaped without some sabre-wound."
(Costello - "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns" p 122)
The 1st KGL Hussars were "deserved favourites of the Light Division..."
"If we saw a British Dragoon at any time approaching in full speed,
it excited no great curiosity among us, but whenever we saw one of
the 1st Hussars KGL ... it was high time to gird on our swords and
bundle up."
"One May day in 1813 the German Hussars were so affected by British
cheering when the Light Division turned out to line the road and greet
their old friends that many of the singing Germans burst into tears."
(- Captain Kincaid, British infantry)

Cotton of the British 7th Hussar Regiment described a fight between a man of 3rd Hussar Regiment of King's
German Legion and French cuirassier at Waterloo; "A hussar and a cuirassier had got entangled in the melee, and
met in the plain in full view of our line; the hussar was without cap and bleeding from a wound in the head,
but that did not hinder him from attacking his steel-clad adversary. He soon proved that the strength of cavalry
contains in good swordsmanship ... and not in being clad in defensive armor .. after a few blows a tremendous fencer
made the Frenchman reel in the saddle ... a second blow stretched him on the ground, amidst the cheers of the horseman's
comrades, who were ardent spectators of the combat."

In 1808 at Benavente the British 10th Hussars and 18th Light
Dragoons, and the 3rd KGL Hussars attacked a single French cavalry regiment (Guard Horse Chasseurs or
Chasseurs-a-Cheval de la garde Imperiale). "There was an indecisive clash between
Lefebvre-Desnouettes' men and Paget's force of 10th Hussars and King's German Legion cavalry. Drawing the
French off to Benavente, Paget then ambushed them and pursued the surprised enemy back across the Cea."
(- napoleonguide.com)
Lord Paget writes, “We attacked them again, they again fired, by which they killed 2 and wounded 1 horse.
They stood firm, we broke them, killed several, wounded 20 and took prisoners, 1 officer, 100 men and 50 horses.”
The Guard Horse Chasseurs lost 127 men, and their commander, General Lefebvre-Desnouettes,
was captured by a German named Bergmann, who gave up his precious prize to British hussar
Grisdale.

The KGL dragoons were routed twice by French dragoons at Villodrigo in 1812.
Ten minutes of bitter fighting ensued, overlooked by both armies occupying the surrounding heights.
Bock's KGL dragoons retreated in disorder, followed by Anson's brigade. They soon became outflanked on
both sides as more French dragoons which had also turned the British left flank by the hills,
came racing down upon them, causing the British and German cavalry to break in complete confusion.
The British and German cavalrymen finally rally behind Halkett's two KGL infantry battalions in square,
as the Gendarmes, 15th Horse Chasseurs and Berg Lancers halt to rally themselves.
Boyer's French dragoons charge in their turn and break Bock's dragoons a second time. Wellington, arriving on the
field, then directed Halkett's squares of KGL light infantry to fire at the French dragoons, which unsucessfully
charged the squares three times before pulling away.
The arrival of French infantry then forced the British force to retreat. The Allies lost 230-335 killed, wounded
and captured. The French lost between 200-300 casualties.

The charge of KGL heavy dragoons at Garcia Hernandez was named by French General Foy as "The boldest
charge of cavalry in the whole war [in Peninsula]." Beamish left description of this famous charge.
"The French infantry and artillery being at first, concealed by the inequalities of the ground, the brigades were ordered by
Lord Wellington to attack the cavalry, and their pace was accordingly increased to a gallop.
The German regiments, confined by the narrowness of the valley, had been unable during their progress through it,
to move upon a larger front than sections of 3s, and now, being an echelon of squadrons, they attempted to form line upon
the first squadron. Who without waiting hurried forward, however, by the excitement of the moment, the leading squadron
of the first regiment ... dashed on without waiting for the remaining squadrons, and made straight for the enemy's cavalry.
...
Captain Gustavus von der Decken, who commanded the third or left squadron of the regiment, seeing that if he advanced
according to the order given, his flank would be exposed to the fire of a dense infantry square, formed the daring resolution
of attacking it with his single squadron. This square stood on the lower slope of the heights and obedient to the signal of
their chief, the German troopers advanced against it with order and determination, while a deafening peel of musketry from
the enemy greeted their approach.
Arriving within a 100 yards of the point of attack, the gallant squadron officer, struck by a ball in the knee,
fell mortally wounded, and Lieutenant von Voss, with several men and horses, were killed ...
the intrepid soldiers forced onward and bringing up their right flank, appeared before the enemy's bayonets on two sides
of the square. The two front ranks, kneeling, presented a double row of deadly steel, while in the rear of these, the steady
muskets of four standing ranks were levelled at the devoted horsemen.
At this critical moment, when the sword was about to be matched against the firelock, and the chivalrous horsemen against
the firm foot soldier - when victory hung yet in equal scales - an accidental shot from the kneeling ranks, which killing a horse, caused it and the rider to fall upon the bayonets - gave the triumph to the dragoons!
For a path was now opened, and the impatient troopers rushing in amid the blazing fire, while men and horses fell fast
before the muskets of the French infantry, their firm formation was destroyed, and the whole battalion were either cut down
or taken prisoner. Captain von Reitzenstein, who commanded the second squadron, seeing the success which had
attended the daring onset of his comrades on the left, and being also impeded in his forward movement by the difficulties
of the ground, decided upon following up the discomfiture of the infantry, and attempting the second square (it was not a square but 2 companies covering the rest of battalion), which stood on the edge of the heights.
He was received with a steady and destructive fire ... but the moral force of the French infantry had been shaken by the
fearful overthrow which they had just witnessed, and some timid individuals leaving their ranks, Reitzenstein rushed in
with his ready followers; the square broke, and the greater part of the battalion was cut down or captured.
A third square (it was actually the second square) was instantly formed by those few who had escaped from destruction,
and some cavalry came to their support. Against these Captain Baron Marschalek led the third squadron of the 2nd Regiment,
and, being joined by the left troop of the second squadron under Lieutenant Fumetty, charged and dispersed the enemy's
cavalry; then riding boldly at the infantry, broke and completely overthrew them.
"The wreck of the routed battalions now rallied and attempted to make a stand on a rising ground near the high road to
Peneranda, where they again formed a connected body. Marschalek and Fumetty led their troopers a second time to the
charge, but their little force had become too much reduced, and the horses were too fatigued to admit of any impression
being made upon the enemy. The French received the attack with a heavy fire and with a shower of stones, to which they
now had recourse... No further attempt was made by the dragoons, and the enemy resumed their retreat."
(Beamish - "History of the Kings German Legion")

~

Dragoons."Mounted on their powerful grey steeds, made to appear
even more impressive by their bearskin caps, the
Scottish dragoons bore down upon the men of Grenier's
brigade, who were crossing the sunken lane. ...
Immediately after overwhelming Grenier's brigade,
the Grays attacked the first regiment of Nogues' brigade ...
In the meantime, the Royals and the Inniskillings had
followed the fleeing infantry all the way to the bottom
of the slope." (- A. Barbero)

.

The dragoons and dragoon guards served with distinction in the Peninsular War and during the Waterloo Campaign.
The British Army first used the designation 'dragoon guards' in 1746, when the King's Own Regiment of Horse
and the Princess of Wales's Own Regiment of Horse were redesignated the 1st and 2nd Dragoon Guards.
Other regiments followed.
The dragoon guards regiments had abandoned their cuirasses and were almost indistinguishable
from dragoon regiments. "The exercise of converting from Horse to Dragoon was to save money - Dragoons were
paid less than Horse - and the change was very unpopular." (- wikipedia.org)

The dragoons fought in several battles in Spain.
In the cavalry clash at Villagarcia in 1812, Le Marchant led the 5th Dragoon Guards in a flank charge, in echelon of squadrons, which defeated two columns of French cavalry under General Lallemand. The French had been attacking British light cavalry under Sir Stapleton Cotton, who were being forced to give ground.

There were also less successful charges. At
Albuera in 1811 two dragoon regiments were utterly
routed by one of the best napoleonic regiments of light cavalry,
the Vistula Uhlans under Colonel Jan Konopka.
The uhlans were armed with lances (first rank) and sabers (first and second rank) and were mounted on small but agile horses.
Most of the uhlans were battle-hardened veterans.

.

Scots Greys.

One of the best known dragoon regiments was the 2nd Dragoons, were the Scots Greys.
They obtained a reputation for their eye-catching uniforms and powerful grey horses.
Nicknames :
- "The Bird Catchers" (after they captured the regimental Eagle at Waterloo.)
- "Bubbly Jocks", a Scots term meaning "turkey cock".
Unlike many of the other cavalry regiments, the Scots Greys did not see any combat during the American
Revolutionary War or during the French Revolutionary Wars. They saw some action during the Napoleonic Wars but
still not as much as other regiments. In fact, for most of the 20 years following the Seven Years' War, they remained
in Scotland and England. In 1794, however, they participated in the Campaign in Low Countries and distinguished themselves
at Tournai.
Despite the victory at Tournai, the British and Allied troops would be defeated at Tourcoing on 18 May 1794.
From then on, the British troops would be retreating the face of the French. During the retreat, the Scots Greys were
active in covering the retreat through the low countries and into Hanover.
In 1795 the British troops reached Bremen, in Hanover, and were embarked on ships to return to England.
The Scots Greys would not see much action until the Waterloo Campaign in 1815.
At Waterloo they bore down on Grenier's infantry brigade of de Erlon's Corps. The leading French battalion
opened fire and seemed able to repulse the attack. Captain Martin of French 45th Line writes, "Our soldiers
didn't wait for the order to cross it (the hollow road lined with hedges); they hurled themselves at it,
jumping over the hedge and breaking ranks in order to rush upon the enemy (the Highland infantry). Fatal recklessnes !
We struggled to bring them back into order. We brought them to a halt in order to rally them. ... Just as I finished
pushing a soldier back into his rank, I saw him fall at my feet, struck down by a saber blow, and I quickly turned around.
The British cavalry were charging us on all sides and cutting us to pieces. ... They even cut the boys who served as our
pipers and drummers."
The death toll however was not extremely high - but Grenier's brigade was nonetheless crushed. Sergeant Ewart captured
the color of 45th Line. It was the second Eagle captured at Waterloo and it would be the last.
The Scots Greys then attacked the 21st Line that had time to form square. The infantry emptied many saddles with
their well aimed volley. Then however the French broke their ranks and surrendered to the Scots.
Many infantrymen who had thrown themselves on the ground or raised their hands started gathering up their muskets
and firing again. Captain Clark was attacked by a French soldier who pointed his musket at the captain's head,
and pulled the trigger; a sudden turn of the head saved Clark's life, but the musketball carried away the tip of his nose.
Some officers tried to rally the dragoons and lead them back up the slope. Many of the Scots Greys however decided that they had not yet had enough and continued their charge. Meanwhile Napoleon unleashed cuirassier division and two lancer regiments against the Household and Union Brigades.
The French lancers fanned out and started a mopping-up operation over the entire length of the ground where
catastrophe had struck Erlon's infantry. Many British dragoons dashed up the slope, and everyone tried to save his
own skin. Sir Ponsonby together with his adjutant, Mjr Reignolds made a dash to own line, and a French lancer began
pursuing them. While they were crossing a plowed field, Ponsonby's horse got stuck in the mud and in an instant, the
lancer was upon him.
Charles Ewart was lucky with the lancers ("... one of their Lancers threw his lance at me but missed...")
but Ponsonby threw his saber away and surrendered.
Reignolds came to his aid, but the lancer compelled both of them to dismount under the threat of his lance.
At that moment, a group of Scots Grays happened to pass a short distance away, saw the three and galloped shouting
in their direction with the idea of liberating Sir Ponsonby. "In a flash, the Frenchman killed the general and his major
with 2 blows of his lance then charged the oncoming dragoons striking down 3 in less than a minute. The others abandoned
the combat completely incapable of holding their own ..."
Barbero writes, "In the memories of Waterloo, the French lancers, galloping at will over the battlefield, sending
saber-armed cavalry fleeing before them, and calmly stopping to finish off the wounded without even having to dismount,
appear as an image of vivid horror." NCO Dickson remembered how his comrades had been surrounded and struck down, slipping
in the mud and trying to ward off the lance blows with their hands.
At Waterloo, the brave Scots Greys suffered 201 (!) killed and wounded and lost 228
of their beautiful grey horses.

Tzar Nikolai (Nicholas) II of Russia
The Honorary Chef of the Scots Greys in 1890s
and ealry 1900s, hence his Scots Greys uniform.
Nikolai was the last monarch of Russia.
The Communists murdered him in 1917.

~

Light Dragoons and HussarsThe ears and eyes of Wellington's army

.

The British light cavalry consisted of hussars and light dragoons.
According to www.lightdragoons.org.uk the light dragoons "were first raised in the middle
of the Eighteenth Century for reconnaissance and patrolling - in other words scouting -
but soon acquired a reputation for courage and dash in the charge.
Originally, each regiment of cavalry formed a light troop, but so successful was the idea that
whole regiments were formed. The 15th Light Dragoons were the first ever (1759), and others
quickly followed including the 18th and 19th. The 13th, raised as dragoons (mounted infantrymen) as early as 1715,
were also converted to the light role."

It would naturally take some time for the "Hussar craze" to contaminate the United Kingdom
after sweeping over the Continent. The dash of attire and behaviour displayed on the Napoleonic
battlefields in the service of France certainly made the best impression, and in due time the
British Army started changing her Light Dragoon Regiments into Hussars, in dress and in title.
A proud tradition was established, and British hussars displayed their elegant uniforms both
in society and over the battlefields.

Picture:
15th, 7th, and 10th Hussars in 1815, by Knotel.
In the small combat at Sahagun the brave 15th Hussars
took many prisoners for very little loss to themselves.

The hussars attracted many young men from the best families.
The night before Waterloo "The prince regent was the honorary colonel of
this regiment [10th Hussars], which was at the time quite fashionable and known to
London gossips as "the Prince's Dolls"; its select company included
the Duke of Rutland's son, the Earl of Carlisle's son, and the grandsons
of four other lords." ( Barbero - "The Battle" p 51)
The 10th Hussars had interesting history.
In 1784 King George III appointed his son then Prince of Wales, as colonel of the regiment which has since borne
the title of "Prince of Wales'Own." In 1806 the Prince of Wales obtained permission to dress the regiment as
hussars and it thus became the first hussar regiment in the British Army.

The 10th and 7th Hussars and 18th Light Dragoons distinguished themselves at Benavente in 1808.
The battle of Benavente was a rear-guard action during Sir John Moore's dramatic retreat to Corunna.
The British hussars and light dragoons, together with the 3rd KGL Hussars (total 600 men) defeated regiment of
Guard Horse Chasseurs (three squadrons) and a small detachment of Mamelukes.
Lefebvre-Desnouettes, one of Napoleon's favorite generals, was taken prisoner.
He was captured by a German named Bergmann, who gave up his prize to British hussar Grisdale.
After battle Lefebvre-Desnouettes was entertained at the table of the British commander-in-chief Sir John Moore;
Moore gave him his own sword to replace the one taken when he surrendered. The French general was imprisoned in England
where he eventually broke his parole, and escaped back to France, whereupon
Napoleon reinstated him to his former command of the guard chasseurs.
The British and Germans suffered 50 killed and wounded, while the Frenchmen and Mamelukes lost 55 killed and wounded and 73 prisoners.
The victory gained over the elite of the French light cavalry raised the morale of the British light cavalry.

At Genappe in 1815, some hussars and light dragoons refused to charge !
The combat at Genappe was a rear-guard action during Wellington's march on Waterloo.
Lord Uxbridge unsuccessfully attempted to persuade the 11th Light Dragoons to charge in support
of the 7th who were being driven back by French
lancers.
("My address to these Light Dragoons not having been received with all the enthusiasm that I expected, I ordered them
to clear the chausee and said, 'The Life Guard shall have this honour', and instantly sending
for them.")
The 7th Hussars "Queen's Own" was the "embodiment of dash and panache".
Lord Uxbridge wanted to give them a "taste of glory" - the hussars charged but each charge
"was not in the favor of the 7th Hussars. Finally the 7th Hussars refused to charge the
French lancers."
At Waterloo these hussars also refused to charge into the flank of cuirassiers.

Edward Costello of 95th Rifles described a duel between a light dragoon and a French
cavalryman: "One of their videttes, after being posted facing English dragoon, of the 14th
or 16th [Light Dragoon Regiment] displayed an instance of individual gallantry, in which the
French, to do them justice, were seldom wanting. Waving his long straight sword, the
Frenchman rode within 60 yards of our dragoon, and challenged him to single combat.
We immediately expected to see our cavalry man engage his opponent, sword in hand.
Instead of this, however, he unslung his
carbine and fired at the Frenchman, who not a whit dismayed, shouted out so that every
one could hear him, Venez avec
la sabre: je suis pret pour Napoleon et la belle France. Having vainly endeavoured
to induce the Englishman to a personal conflict, and after having endured two or three shots
from his carbine,
the Frenchman rode proudly back to his ground, cheered even by our own men.
We were much amused by his gallantry, while we hissed our own dragoon ... "
(- Costello pp 66-67)

In the last stages of the battle of Talavera Wellington unleashed part of his cavalry.
When the British 23rd Light Dragoons (450 men) broke through the French 10th and 26th Horse Chasseurs, General Merlin
ordered the Vistula Uhlans (390 men) in the first line and the Westphalian lighthorsemen (144 men) in the secomnd line,
to charge.
The Vistula Uhlans hit the enemy frontally and crushed them.
Meanwhile the French chasseurs came against the flank of the dragoons. The British regiment lost 207 killed, wounded and missing, and 105 were captured (according to Oman, Vol II, p 545-549).
It gives horrendous 70 % casualties.

At Sahagún on 31 December 1808 the 15th Hussars defeated two regiments of French cavalry
(8th Dragoons and 1st Provisional Chasseurs) during the Corunna Campaign.
Because the provisional regiments usually lacked the morale and solidarity of regular regiments,
at Sahagun the chasseurs were supported with dragoons.
The chasseurs received the charge of the hussars whilst stationary and tried to halt it with carbine fire.
The impetus of the British hussars carried them through the ranks of the chasseurs and into those of the dragoons behind !
The French were broken, and it routed eastwards with the British in pursuit. Many French cavalrymen
(though the chasseurs were largely of German origin) were made prisoners.The 15th Hussars was awarded "Sahagun" as a Battle Honour.

~

British cavalry's tactics.Maneuvering or charging in good order
with several cavalry brigades was
beyond their capabilities.

.

The British cavalry regiment had 2-4 squadrons in the field.
According to George Nafziger the interval between squadrons was 1/3 of their actual front, but there was no additional or different interval between regiments and brigades. It is worth noting that the British regulation states that in a flank march the cavalry occupied 3 times the interval it occupied when facing to the front. The British used a movable pivot like the French, and also used a variation of the French manoeuvre of marching diagonally directly to their final position.

Fig. 116: changes of position of a regiment.
[Source: Nafziger - "Imperial Bayonets"]
Two ways of column deploying into line.

When the British ployed a line into a closed column they used a direct marching system.
The troops did a counter-march by 3s from the opposite flank, passed behind the line, and marched directly to
their final position.
And, as with the French, the British could always take a column of squadrons or troops and wheel them 90
degrees into a line perpendicular to the line of march. For a column of troops this manoeuvre required 0.4 minutes.
For a column of squadrons it required 0.7 minutes.

On the level of individual horseman, and up to few squadrons, the British (and KGL)
cavalry were generally superior to the French.
Private Cotton described a fight between a man of the 3rd Hussars of the King's German Legion
and a French cuirassier that took at Waterloo; "A hussar and a cuirassier had got entangled in
the melee, and met in the plain in full view of our line; the hussar was without cap and
bleeding from a wound in the head, but that did not hinder him from attacking his steel-clad
adversary. He soon proved that the strength of cavalry contains in good swordsmanship ...
and not in being clad in defensive armor .. after a few blows a tremendous fencer made the
Frenchman reel in the saddle ... a second blow stretched him on the ground, amidst the cheers
of the horseman's comrades, who were ardent spectators of the combat."
However, not every one-on-one fight was as one sided as the one described above.
Charles Parquin of French cavalry writes, "On the 15th July 1812 near Salamanca an English officer,
riding behind the scouts of his army, caracoled his horse
almost in front of French outposts. "What does that officer
want ?" - inquired Marshal Marmont. Parquin: "My lord,
that officer is evidently desirous of exchanging a few saber-
cuts with one of us.."
Parquin spurred his horse to a gallop
and attacked him. He parried the cut and returned it by
a point-thrust which felled the Englishman to the earth.
Passing the blade of saber through his bridle he led back
the horse into French line being welcomed by the hearty
plaudits of Marmont and his staff."

There were several small scale combats between the French advance guard and British rear guard during Moore's retreat
to Corunna. "… at about 1 PM, with Colbert closing in on Cacabellos, Paget hustled his troops down the
snow-clad hill and across the Cua to the safety of the western bank. Here, screened by the
vineyard walls, his infantry fanned out into extended order, while the 6 guns of Carthew's
artillery battery were wheeled into position astride the road commanding the bridge.
Moments later, Colbert's troopers poured over the brow of the recently-vacated hill,
pursuing the riflemen and hussars of Paget's pickets into Cacabellos itself.
It was in this point that, according to Cpt. Gordon, the 15th Hussars made a stand …
'For some minutes we were so jammed together in a narrow street that it was impossible
for either party to advance or retire. … Nevertheless, the flood of the French horsemen
proved too much for Gordon and his comrades and they eventually broke, stampeding through
the ranks of retreating riflemen (as well as panic-stricken staff officers out on
reconnaissance) and making a mad dash for the bridge…
Blakeney described the scene … 'The situation of the Light Company [of the 28th Foot] was now very embarrassing, in
danger of being trampled down by our own cavalry [hussars], who rode over everything
which came in their way… for in their confusion the were firing in every direction …
and we were so mixed up with them and our own cavalry that we could offer no formation
to receive the enemy…'
As for Colbert's men, though they had hacked down several British hussars and taken 48
riflemen prisoner … had been recalled by their commander in order to rally, prior to
launching of another sortie." (Summerville - p 125)

On higher tactical level, let's say one or two regiments opising similar force, the chances were more equal.
Costello of 95th Rifles described a fight between British and French regiment:
"... a loud cheering to the right attracted our attention, and we perceived our 1st Dragoons
charge a French cavalry regiment. As this was the first charge of cavalry most of us had ever
seen, we were all naturally much interested on the occassion. The French skirmishers who
were also extended against us seemed to partiicipate in the same feeling as both parties
suspended firing while the affair of dragoons was going on.
The English and the French cavalry met in the most gallant manner, and with the greatest show of resolution.
The first shock, when they came in collision, seemed terrific, and many men and horses fell
on both sides. They had ridden through and past each other,
and now they wheeled round again.
This was followed by a second charge, accompanied by
some very pretty- sabre-practice, by which many saddles were emptied, and
English and French chargers were soon galloping about the field without riders.
These immediately occupied the attention of the French skirmishers and ourselves,
and we were soon engaged in pursuing them, the men of each nation endeavouring to secure the
chargers of the opposite one as legal spoil. While engaged in this chase we frequently
became intermixed, when much laughter was indulged in by both parties at the different
accidents that occured in our pursuit." (Costello - "The Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns"
p 67)

In the Battle of Villodrigo (combat at Venta del Pozo) on 23 October 1812, British force led by General Stapleton Cotton
was defeated by French cavalry under Generals Curto and Boyer.
Cotton's rearguard of 2.800 men incl. Colonel Halkett's KGL infantry brigade (1st and 2nd KGL Light battalions), General Anson's cavalry
brigade (11th, 12th and 16th Light Dragoons), General von Bock's cavalry brigade (1st and 2nd KGL Dragoons) and
Ramsay's horse battery (troop) of six cannons.
Curto's cavalry brigade was made up of the 3rd Hussars, and the 13th, 14th, 22nd, 26th and 28th Chasseurs.
Boyer's brigade included the 6th, 11th, 15th and 25th Dragoons.
There were also the 15th Horse Chasseurs, Berg Lancers and the Gendarmes.
The French force numbered 3,200 cavalrymen. No artillery and no infantry. Majority of French regiments and squadrons were heavily understrength.
Cotton planned to ambush the French advanced guard. Anson's cavalry would file across the bridge and
presumably the French would follow. After a couple French squadrons crossed, Ramsay's guns would open fire
and Bock's German dragoons would charge them.
The plan failed when Anson's brigade turned the wrong direction. This was due to the fact that meanwhile
on the British left flank, Curto's hussars had crossed the dry streambed further upstream and attacked mounted
Spaniards under the command of Marquinez posted on hills.
As the Spaniards came pouring down the hills closely pursued by the French hussars, the whole mass fell upon the
16th Light Dragoons, who was charged at the same moment by French dragoons having crossed the bridge.
The 16th Light Dragoons fell back in complete confusion, blocking both Ramsay's guns and Bock's intended charge zone.
The Berg Lancers, 15th Horse Chasseurs and Gendarmes then arrived in line towards the streambed which they found impassible.
Then quickly turned right by squadrons, trotted over the bridge, turned left and then calmly formed line in front of
Bock's German dragoons. The Berg Lancers squadron closest to the bridge, followed by the 15th Hussars's 5 squadrons and
finally the 4 Gendarme squadrons.
At five PM, before the last two Gendarme squadrons had finished positioning themselves, Bock's dragoons attacked in
two lines. The first line, made up of 3 squadrons, were reeling back when the second line entered the melee.
However just before this charge, the last 2 Gendarme squadrons managed to place themselves in such a way as
to attack both KGL lines on their flank.
Ten minutes of bitter fighting ensued, overlooked by both armies occupying the surrounding heights.
Bock's dragoons retreated in disorder, followed by Anson's brigade. They soon became outflanked on both sides
as more French dragoons which had also turned the British left flank by the hills, came racing down upon them,
causing the British cavalry to break in complete confusion.
The British and German cavalrymen finally rally behind Halkett's two KGL infantry battalions in square,
as the Gendarmes, 15th Horse Chasseurs and Berg Lancers halt to rally themselves. Boyer's French dragoons charge in their
turn and break Bock's dragoons a second time.
Wellington, arriving on the field, then directed Halkett's squares of KGL light infantry to fire at the French dragoons,
which unsucessfully charged the squares three times before pulling away.
The arrival of French infantry then forced the British force to retreat.
The Allies lost 230-335 killed, wounded and captured. The French lost between 200-300 casualties.

At Waterloo General Dornberg decided to attack a single French cuirassier
regiment with two of his own, the British 23rd Light Dragoons and the 1st Light Dragoons KGL.
Dornberg outnumbered the French by 2 to 1. The two frontal squadrons of the French regiment
were attacked on both flanks and routed. Dornberg's entire cavalry dashed after the fleeing
enemy. But the French colonel, unlike his adversary, was holding two other squadrons in
reserve, and these counterattacked and smashed the enemy. The British and Germans were
remounting the slope in great disorder when another cuirassier regiment appeared and blocked
their way. The French drew their sabers and awaited the enemy unmoving.
"At the moment of impact, the light dragoons realized that their curved sabers were no match
for the cuirassiers long swords, nor could they penetrate the French cuirasses. Seeing that
his men were losing heart, Dornberg tried to lead some of them against the enemy flank.
(Barbero - "The Battle" p 192)
Dornberg writes, "At this point I was pierced through the left side into the lung.
Blood started coming out of my mouth, making it difficult for me to speak. I was forced
to go to the rear, and I can say nothing more about the action."

It was often said that maneuvering, or charging, in good order with several regiments or brigades, was beyond their
capabilities. I think for this reason American military historian, George Nafziger, ranked the British cavalry
below the Saxon, Polish, Baden, Hessian and French cavalry. - - - - - - First tier : Poland, Saxony, France, Baden, and Hesse-Darmstadt - - - - - - Second tier : Prussia, Russia, Great Britain, and Northern Italy - - - - - - Third tier : Austria, Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, Hesse-Kassel, Westphalia - - - - - - Fouth tier : Sweden, Spain, Portugal, and Naples - - - - - (Source: George Nafziger - "Imperial Bayonets" 1996 p 192)
In Wellington's opinion though one British squadron could defeat two French, it was the best for the British to avoid encounters when the opposing forces consisted of more than four squadrons each. The larger the formation the more chaotic was the British cavalry.
Mark Adkin writes, "The Duke had a generally low opinion of the battlefield tactical ability of his cavalry officers...
Wellington had not forgotten the 20th Light Dragoons after Vimeiro, the 23rd Light Dragoons at Talavera, the 13th Light
Dragoons at Campo Mayor or General Slade's cavalry brigade at Maguilla. After the latter fiasco Wellington wrote,
"I have never been more annoyed than by Slade's affair. ... At Waterloo Wellington's Household Brigade was to suffer
severely and the Union Brigade was almost destroyed ..."
It was Wellington who said: "It is occasioned entirely by the trick our officers of
cavalry have acquired of galloping at every thing, and their galloping back as fast as
they gallop on the enemy. One would think they cannot manoeuvre
except on Wimbledon Common. ... They never consider the situation, never
think of manoeuvering before an enemy, and never keep back or provide for a reserve."
It is not surprising that after the little controlled cavalry charges at Waterloo,
Wellington issued detailed instructions to his cavalry on how the cavalry must deploy in
battle, not just one or two lines, but three in any attack. (In 1815 at Waterloo there were
two lines that quickly merged into one.)

General Foy writes, "In cavalry service it is not sufficient for the soldiers to be brave, and the horses
good; there must be science and unity. More than once, in the Peninsular war, weak
detachments of British cavalry have charged French battalions through and through, but
in disorder; the squadrons could not again be re-formed; there were not others at hand
to finish the work; thus the bold stroke passed away, without producing any advantage."
As for skill in maneuver and discipline, the British cavalry was so inferior to the French
that whatever physical advantage (excellent horses and longer training) they enjoyed
was canceled out. When at Wateloo two British brigades charged the commander of Wellington's
cavalry rode in their front. Only after the French counterattacked and decimated his men,
only then it occured to him that perhaps, as commander in chief of all cavalry, he would have
done better to remain behind and oversee the handling of his reserves.
At Waterloo the French lancers practically wiped out the Scots Grays. The two other regiments of Union Brigade
suffered approx. 600 dead and wounded out of 1,000 men, a percentage that makes the famous
charge at Balaklava pale in comparison. In the elite Household Brigade of the squadrons that
had charged in the first line, fewer than 50 % turned back.
In some point of the battle of Waterloo not only the foreign cavalry felt like figthing anymore. Lord Uxbridge's
exhortations met the same obstinate reluctance everywhere, and in the end his chagrin was so great that he declared
himself ashamed to be an Englishman.
The brave British and German infantry packed into their squares probably had never felt any great love for the cavalry.
In the square in which Wellington himself had taken refuge, the infantrymen were so exasperated at the sight of
cuirassiers, calmly riding past them a short distance away, that someone began to shout:
"Where are the cavalry ?! Why don't they come and pitch into those French fellows ?" Out of the entire Household
Brigade there were only few squadrons left. After the battle, only 1 or 2 men reported out of the entire squadron of
the King's Dragoon Guards.

In 1812 at Maguilla (Maquilla) took place cavalry battle. General Hill detached
Penne Villemur's cavalry on the right flank, and General Slade with the 3rd Dragoon Guards
and the Royals on the left flank. French General Lallemand came forward with only two
dragoon regiments, whereupon Hill, hoping to cut this small force off, placed Slade's British
cavalry in a wood with directions to await further orders.
Slade forgot his orders and drove the French dragoons beyond the defile of Maquilla.
General Slade rode in the foremost ranks and the supports joined tumultuously in the pursuit.
But in the plain beyond stood calm Charles Lallemand with small reserve.
He immediately broke the noisy mass of British cavalry, killed and wounded 48 and
"pursued the rest for 6 miles, recovered all his own prisoners, and took more than a hundred,
inluding two officers, from his adversary" (Napier - "History of the War in the Peninsula
1807-1814" Vol III, p 444)

In 1812 the second in command of the British army,
and great cavalry leader too, Lord Paget, was
captured by French dragoons.
In 1809 the first in command, Wellington, was
almost captured at Combat of Casa de Salinas.

PS.
Not only the British had problems with controling their cavalry.
In 1813 at Hagelberg, eleven squadrons of Prussian Landwehr cavalry rode a brilliant charge through French cavalry,
which they surprised in camp, and through infantry of Girard's Division, which was in the act of forming.
As the Landwehr cavalry had no reserve, it finally suffered a reverse, and as it was able to rally but slowly,
it took no further part in the engagement.
In regard to the charge made by Landwehr cavalry, Colonel von Bismarck stated: "I can turn them loose soon enough, but
whether I shall afterwards again see a single man, that is a different question, and I can not be responsible for it."
In a memorial addressed to Blucher in 1817, General Borstell made the following observation in regard to the Landwehr
cavalry; "During a charge, they were brave to the point of forgetting all obedience and order; during a retreat,
on the contrary, after a charge that had been repulsed, only natural obstacles were, as a rule, able to stop them.
In a word, the Landwehr cavalry ... lacked ... unqualified obedience to the trumpet." (William Balck - "Tactics")